What Size Chainsaw Do I Need for My Tree?

The Bar Length Rule, Explained

The "+2 inches" rule exists for safety and efficiency. When your bar extends past the far side of the trunk, the chain exits the cut cleanly instead of binding inside the wood. A bar that matches the exact diameter forces you to bury the entire cutting edge, which increases the risk of kickback and makes it harder to control the cut.

For a single-pass cut, you need a bar at least as long as the tree diameter. For a two-pass cut (cutting from both sides), you can get away with a bar that's at least half the diameter plus 2 inches. Two-pass cuts work but require more skill to align the cuts properly and take longer.

Standard Chainsaw Bar Lengths

Chainsaw bars come in standardized lengths. The calculator rounds up your measurement to the nearest available size.

Top Picks by Bar Length

Once you know the bar length you need, these are our top-rated saws at each size. Every pick comes from our full catalog and scoring methodology.

112" bar · branches to 10"

DeWalt DCCS620P1 20V 12"

DeWalt · Battery · 12" bar · 9.0 lbs with battery

8.2/10

~$230

Best compact chainsaw for pruning, storm prep, and camping. 12-inch bar, 9 lbs with battery, cross-compatible with all DeWalt 20V tools. Compact enough for a truck toolbox, powerful enough for branches up to 10 inches.

Pros

• +Just 9 lbs with battery
• +12-inch bar perfect for pruning and limbing
• +Cross-compatible with all DeWalt 20V MAX tools
• +Tool-free chain tensioning and auto-oiler
• +Affordable complete kit

Cons

• -12-inch bar limits cutting to ~10-inch logs
• -20V battery has less runtime than 56V/60V
• -Underpowered for firewood or felling

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216" bar · trees to 14"

EGO Power+ CS1611 56V 16"

EGO · Battery · 16" bar · 9.0 lbs bare / ~12 lbs with battery

★4.2·2,195 ratings

9/10

~$249

Best mid-range battery chainsaw and the ideal first saw. 40cc gas-equivalent power, 16-inch bar, push-button start, and a 2.5Ah battery kit that covers most homeowner jobs. Perfect for storm cleanup, property maintenance, and learning to cut safely.

Pros

• +40cc gas-equivalent power
• +16-inch bar handles 90% of homeowner tasks
• +Push-button start, auto-oiler
• +Tool-free chain tensioning
• +Metal bucking spikes
• +Complete kit with 2.5Ah battery and charger

Cons

• -16-inch bar limits large firewood work
• -2.5Ah battery has shorter runtime than 4.0Ah or 5.0Ah options

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318" bar · trees to 16"

EGO Power+ CS1800 56V 18-Inch Chainsaw

EGO · Battery · 18" bar · 14.0 lbs with battery

★4

9.2/10

~$350

Best overall chainsaw for homeowners. 45cc gas-equivalent power, 18-inch bar, push-button start, and roughly 200 cuts per charge. Handles firewood, storm cleanup, and property maintenance without gas, fumes, or pull cords.

Pros

• +45cc gas-equivalent cutting power
• +18-inch bar covers most homeowner jobs
• +Push-button start, no pull cord
• +Tool-free chain tensioning
• +Metal bucking spikes for stability
• +~200 cuts per 5.0Ah charge

Cons

• -Battery and charger add to total cost
• -Runtime limited by battery capacity
• -Heavier than smaller battery saws

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420" bar · trees to 18"

Husqvarna 455 Rancher 20"

Husqvarna · Gas · 20" bar · 12.8 lbs (powerhead)

★4.3·516 ratings

8.8/10

~$500

The farm-and-ranch standard. 55.5cc engine, 20-inch bar, Smart Start, X-Torq, and LowVib technology. Handles felling and bucking trees up to 18 inches in a single pass. Husqvarna dealer network means parts and service are available in most rural areas.

Pros

• +55.5cc engine with excellent power-to-weight ratio
• +20-inch bar for felling and large firewood
• +Smart Start reduces pull-cord effort
• +X-Torq engine for lower fuel consumption
• +Widely available parts and dealer service

Cons

• -Requires gas/oil mixing and regular maintenance
• -Pull-cord starting can be difficult when cold
• -Heavier than battery alternatives

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Softwood vs. Hardwood: Why It Matters

Softwoods (pine, spruce, cedar, fir) have lower density and cut faster. A chainsaw moves through softwood roughly 30-50% faster than through hardwood of the same diameter. The bar length requirement stays the same, but you'll use less fuel or battery and put less wear on your chain.

Hardwoods (oak, maple, hickory, ash) demand more from your saw. The dense grain dulls chains faster and puts more strain on the engine or motor. For hardwood, use a semi-chisel chain: it stays sharper longer in dense wood, even though full-chisel chains cut slightly faster when sharp. Many experienced operators keep both chain types and swap based on the job.

How to Measure a Tree

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should my chainsaw bar be for my tree?

Your bar should be at least 2 inches longer than the trunk diameter. A 12-inch tree needs a 14-inch bar, a 14-inch tree needs a 16-inch bar, and so on, rounded up to the nearest standard bar length (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, or 24 inches). An 18-inch bar covers any trunk up to 16 inches, which includes most backyard trees.

Can a chainsaw bar be too long?

Yes. A longer bar adds weight, exposes more chain to kickback, and makes the saw harder to control on small cuts. Buying a 24-inch bar to prune branches is a safety downgrade, not an upgrade. Size the bar to your biggest common cut, not the rarest one, and rent or hire out the occasional oversized tree.

Do hardwood trees need a longer bar than softwood?

No. Bar length depends only on trunk diameter. Hardwoods like oak, maple, and hickory do demand more engine power, dull chains faster, and cut roughly 30-50% slower than softwoods of the same size. For regular hardwood cutting, choose a stronger engine and a semi-chisel chain, not a longer bar.

Is gas or battery better for occasional use?

Battery, in almost every case. A battery saw starts with a button press after months in the garage, needs no fuel mixing, and never gums up a carburetor with stale gas. Gas still wins for all-day firewood processing, remote work far from a charger, and extended power outages.

Can I cut a tree wider than my bar?

Yes, with a two-pass cut from both sides. For that, your bar needs to be at least half the trunk diameter plus 2 inches. Two-pass cuts work but take longer and require skill to keep the cuts aligned. For trunks over 24 inches, hire a professional instead.